A shocking incident unfolded in downtown Washington, D.C., on November 26, 2025, when two West Virginia National Guard members were shot in what authorities are describing as an ambush-style attack just two blocks from the White House. The shooting has sparked immediate federal investigation and raised serious questions about security in the nation's capital.
The Attack
The incident occurred near
Farragut West station in the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., at approximately 17th and I Street—an area heavily populated with tourists and government workers. According to law enforcement officials, a suspect approached the guardsmen and opened fire without warning or provocation, unleashing
10 to 15 shots in rapid succession.
The first guardsman was shot from several feet away, while the second attempted to take cover behind a bus stop shelter before also being struck. Both victims were shot in the head. One of the national guardsmen returned fire, critically wounding the suspect, who was armed with a
.357 magnum Smith & Wesson revolver.
The Victims
The two soldiers have been identified as
24-year-old Andrew Wolfe and
20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, both members of the West Virginia National Guard. As of November 27, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi reported that both soldiers had
"come through surgery" and were in critical condition. Their families and the nation are holding their breath as they recover from their injuries.
The Suspect
A 29-year-old
Afghan national from Khost Province has been taken into custody and is currently hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot four times. The suspect, who entered the United States in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, had
overstayed his visa and was living in Bellingham, Washington.
Notably, the suspect had applied for asylum in 2024 and was
granted asylum status in April 2025. In Afghanistan, he previously worked for a CIA-backed "Zero Unit" of the Afghan National Directorate of Security in Kandahar province. The suspect is
not cooperating with investigators, and the FBI has launched an investigation into the shooting as a
possible act of terrorism.
Security Response and Political Reaction
The shooting has triggered an immediate security escalation in the nation's capital. President Trump requested an additional
500 National Guard troops be deployed to Washington, D.C., in the hours following the attack. The guardsmen were part of a broader domestic-military mobilization ordered by Trump in August 2025, with troops stationed near Farragut Square as part of routine downtown patrols.
Vice President JD Vance, who was visiting Fort Campbell in Kentucky at the time of the shooting, addressed the nation asking for prayers for the wounded guardsmen. President Trump released a statement expressing support for the National Guard and military personnel, stating:
"God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People."What This Means
The incident raises critical questions about security protocols for National Guard deployments in downtown Washington and the vetting process for visa holders and asylum seekers. The location—just blocks from the White House—underscores the vulnerability of even heavily secured areas in the nation's capital.
The FBI's investigation into possible terrorism charges signals that federal authorities are treating this as more than a random act of violence. The suspect's background, including his work with Afghan security forces and his recent asylum approval, will likely become central to understanding his motivations.
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2025 Washington, D.C., National Guard shooting - Wikipedia2.
Two National Guards shot in DC latest - WUSA93.
Two National Guardsmen Shot Near White House - Bloomberg TV
Sources
1. 2025 Washington, D.C., National Guard shooting - Wikipedia
2. Two National Guards shot in DC latest | Nov. 27, 2025 - YouTube
3. Two National Guardsmen Shot Near White House - YouTube
